Bangkok Painted Red
By Faraz Shauketaly
Thailand’s capital was this morning engulfed by a sea of red as thousands upon thousands gathered in the city from all parts of Thailand. Dressed in red t-shirts the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship started their demonstration at around 10 am local time from the outskirts of Bangkok. A convoy of cars, buses, motor cycles and pick-ups converged into Bangkok’s city centre area bringing traffic to a stand still.
The Red Shirts as they are popularly known in Thailand, are targeting the middle class of Bangkok’s affluent population to join their movement. The Reds assert that the Prime Minister of Thailand the Oxford-educated Abhisit Vejjajiva, enjoys the indulgence and support of an influential political elite and the Thai military. With these essentials on his side, say the Red Shirts, Abhisit is stymieing the democracy in Thailand.
The Red Shirts are known as former Prime Minister Thakshin Shinawatra supporters though not all would agree on that. They admit that the effervescent Thakshin, is a rallying point and who makes daily contact with the Reds by video links. Thakshin Shinawatra was ousted in a bloodless coup whilst visiting the United Nations and now lives mostly in Dubai. He is a 60-year old telecommunications tycoon with a passion for football. His supporters say that his real passion is the people of Thailand.
The Thai Prime Minister brought in the full force of the media against Mr. Shinawatra – he gave interviews to the well known international agencies CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera as well as two local channels. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva countered Thakshin’s oft-quoted mantra that there is a real society differential prevalent in Thailand.
Mr. Vejjajiva said that there is no such differential: pointing out that the former Prime Minister was indeed a “very rich former Prime Minister” the Oxford-educated Thai Prime Minister said that the in-equality stemmed from the lack of opportunities for all Thais. That, he said was what his government was focusing on – to provide equal opportunities.
The Reds protest which was expected to bring in over 30,000 people is likely to bring in at least as much as 150,000 into the affluent Bangkok suburbs. The mood was jovial anconvivial andnd at the moment quite peaceful but the supporters were almost as one: Thakshin, they told me was “Number One” and many gave the Thai Prime Minister the thumbs down sign. Even though traffic was brought to a standstill many people took it in their stride saying that it was the week-end and traffic in their city was bad anyway.
They are our Pioneer to wipe out the Evil Govt from Eelam/Hela.
Prof. Boyle: PCIJ precedent brings GoSL’s war-crimes within UN jurisdiction
[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 March 2010, 20:58 GMT]
Quoting a landmark 1923 decision on rules governing international agreements by the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), Professor Boyle, an expert in international law, referred to Colombo’s claim that UN is infringing on the sovereignty of a member state, and said, “I am not going to spend a lot of time here refuting this erroneous and disingenuous interpretation of international law and the requirements of the United Nations Charter by the GoSL (Government of Sri Lanka) and its Foreign Minister. There is one definitive answer to their objection. Namely, the GoSL Army undoubtedly inflicted numerous violations of the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949 upon the Tamils in Vanni a year ago, and in particular but not limited to gross violations of Common Article 3 thereof, which constituted war crimes. Sri Lanka is a contracting party to the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949.”
Ban Ki Moon going ahead with Lanka probe
Spokesmen now say there won’t be any delay despite NAM objections
By Our Diplomatic Editor
United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon this week contradicted his spokespersons and declared that a panel would be appointed to advise him on accountability issues during the final stages of the separatist war in Sri Lanka in May last year.
UN spokesman Martin Nesirky and his assistant Farhan Haq had earlier declared that such a panel would not be named “very soon.” The issue was raised at Friday’s noon media briefing at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
A UN spokesperson was asked whether the two statements, one by them and the other by the UN Secretary General, were inconsistent since they had caused a lot of confusion. The response of the Assistant Spokesperson showed a quick turnaround to subtle backout from what they said and he made remarks supportive of the UN Secretary General.
Mr. Haq replied: “I can’t tell you when the panel will be named. Right now, like we had said over the weekend, the initial work has to do with developing the terms of reference. The Secretary-General is consulting others, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He is quite correct in saying that there will be no delay in setting this up but right now the stage we are at is the terms of reference.” In what seemed a quick turnaround, Mr. Haq said no delay “means it’s going to happen soon.” He was asked whether it would be six months.
Mr. Haq said: “No delay means he is working on it right now. We don’t have an announcement to make just yet. Like I said, the work at this stage is on the terms of reference and then beyond that he’ll get to the phase of announcing names.” Mr. Haq was also asked whether the UN had responded to the Non Aligned Movement letter yet.
UN MATTERS ARE NOT LIKE MAKING KIRIBATH AND KATTA SAMBOL..INSTANTLY..THERE ARE PROCESS….BUT THIS WILL HAPPEN DEFINETLY….YOU SHOUT UN THEN GO AND BEG..UN SHOUT AT EU THEN BEG THEM…DONT YOU HAVE DIGNITY?..SOMETIMES BACK POVERTY INDIA WNATED TO TEACH A LESSON TO KING BIRENDRA FOR HIS PR-CHINA POLICY AND CLOSED ALL NEPAL-INDIA BOARDER…BUT KING BIRENDRA NEVER BOW OR BEG THOUGH THE COUNTRY IS POOR HE ORDERED AIRLIFT OF PETROL AND OTHER ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES FROM CHINA…..THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF DIGNITY…SO SO WHAT IS THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRUSSUELS STILL BEGGERS ARE THERE…???
Human Rights violations CAN START with Sarath Fonseka’s Arrest.
If anybody goes through SF’s petition and study the panel of Judges in the Military court Marshall court, it clearly shows to any right thinking person the Sri Lanka cannot deal with a problem on her own JUSTLY…. First need to stop these types of Human rights violations and then fight for non interferences.
‘Sinhala Only’ in a government office opening event in Jaffna
[TamilNet, Monday, 22 March 2010, 17:15 GMT]
Local media reporters in Jaffna peninsula staged a walkout Monday from the official opening of Sri Lanka Foreign Employment (SLFE) branch in Nalloor in Jaffna Monday when it was conducted in Sinhalese language only. Tamil Minister Douglas Devananda was also present at the event along with Northern Province Governor, G. A. Chandrasiri. Meanwhile, the Governor and the Minister later participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new building of Jaffna Municipal Council in its original premises. The government is fervent in opening various offices and laying foundation stones for new buildings in an attempt to entice the voters of Jaffna peninsula, civil society circles in Jaffna observed.
President of SLFE Welfare Organization, Kingsley Rananwathe and its Secretary, Susil Srisena had come to Jaffna from Colombo SLFE head office to officially open the branch in Jaffna.
How could an office meant to help the residents of Jaffna district achieve its goals if it cannot conduct its affairs in Tamil, asked local journalists.
The main building of JMC had been blown up during the war in 1985.
..THAILANDS PEOPLE HAVE BACK BONES….BUT SINHALEASE ARE NO :1 COWARDS….HOW MANY GUYS HACE GUTS TO GO AND PROTEST AGAINST THUGGERY…….THAI PEOPLE ARE POOR BUT ONCE THEY HAVE KICKED OUT A GOVT.SIMPLY BY GOING ON STREETS…PHILIPPINES PEOPLE HAVE SENT TWO POWERFUL PRESIDENTS OUT…..MODAYS ONLY KNOW HOW TO DANCE FOR FREE LIQUOR…
Their war hero, low caste Sarath Fonseka is in Jail.
What they are doing? They think they are all High Caste like Rajapaksas.